FORMER DERRY CITY midfielder Stephen McLaughlin deserves to be in contention for the Republic of Ireland squad, according to Southend United manager Phil Brown.
McLaughlin has been in good form for Southend this season, scoring his sixth goal in all competitions in his side’s 4-1 win against Bury last Saturday, and his manager believes that he should be in Martin O’Neill’s international panel.
“It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if Macca (McLaughlin) was on the radar of the Republic of Ireland squad at the moment because he certainly deserves to be as far as I’m concerned,” Brown told the Echo.
“He’s in very good form and to have already scored six goals is excellent.
“We haven’t had any contact with the Ireland set up but if Macca keeps this up then he definitely has to be in with a chance of getting a call up.”
Now 26, McLaughlin followed in the footsteps of Ireland international James McClean when he left Derry City for England, joining Nottingham Forest in 2013.
The Donegal native struggled to make a breakthrough at the City Ground, featuring just nine times in the Championship, and joined Southend on a permanent deal in 2015 following loan spells at Notts County and Bristol City.
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Game lad but not good enough for international football.
Have you scouted him?
People probably said the same about doyle long Coleman McLean ward Murphy the list goes on. Unless he is given a chance well never know. It’s not like we have that many talented strikers ad it is , maguire from Cork should be given a chance
What chance has this lad got if Hourihane is not being called up.
Not a striker. More of a left winger so 6 goals from there is impressive, probably needs to be playing in a higher league to be considered though
Took mccleans place at derry after he left , and as a sligo rovers fan can say he tortured us a few times . To say he’s not good enough is rubbish, lad deserves a chance if he keep form up
Saw him play for Derry were he looked a class above the rest. Just didn’t work out at forest I suppose. Has the attributes to be a good player with time on his side
Not good enough saw him enough for forest .. average player at best !!!
I rem him at harps. Big boy but didn’t stand out